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Community celebrates the life of Elsie Singletary

Singletary was the city's first Black First Lady
Posted at 9:23 AM, Feb 18, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-18 15:14:44-05

PAHOKEE, Fla. — The Pahokee community is celebrating the life of Elsie L. Singletary. 

Singletary was married to the late Roy Singletary, the first Black mayor of Pahokee. 

Elsie Singletary will be remembered as Pahokee’s first Black First Lady who always helped others and was deeply involved in her community. 

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Elsie Singletary and daughter Tammy Bussey.

“She would take people to the doctor,” said Tammy Bussey, daughter of Elsie Singletary.  “She would do anything to feed them and to clothe them.  She just helped everybody she could and she gave to them and visited them.”

Singletary’s story is one of strength, perseverance, and great accomplishments. 

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Elsie Singletary, Pahokee’s first Black First Lady.

While raising six girls and one boy, Singletary worked as a domestic housekeeper for families in the Pahokee area for many years.  

She later went on to work for the Palm Beach County School District until she retired in 2004. 

Singletary had a strong faith and served as a member of St. James AME Church in Pahokee and St. Paul AME Church in West Palm Beach. 

Elsie Singletary and family
Elsie Singletary and family.

Singletary passed away earlier this month with her family by her side after enduring a long battle with cancer.  

She was 82 years old. 

Arrangements for Deaconess Elsie L. Singletary:

Wake/Viewing:
Friday, February 18, 2022
St. James A.M.E. Church
465 South Lake Avenue
Pahokee, FL
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Funeral Service:
Saturday, February 19, 2022
United Missionary Baptist Church
225 Bacom Point Road
Pahokee, FL
11 a.m.

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Elsie Singletary and loved ones.